2022 Shortlisted Nominee
Celebrity of the Year Award
Jake Daniels is a 17-year-old professional footballer who plays as a forward. Jake amassed a staggering 30 goals last season for Blackpool’s U18’s which prompted the club to offer Jake a long-term contract with the club. Earlier this year, Jake became the UK's first male professional footballer to come out publicly as gay since Justin Fashanu in 1990 and is the only openly gay male professional footballer currently active in Britain. Jake shared his story with the nation in an exclusive interview with Tom Thornton of Sky Sports which made headlines worldwide. He expressed his fears and anxieties, as well as his desire to be honest and live his life authentically. Jake was met with a mass of online support from both his teammates and the wider football community. Jake’s decision to come out as gay was a historic day for English football and will help combat homophobia in football and sports.